Freethought & Rationalism Archive

mountainman · 10-17-2007, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intelligenceresigned

I was just wondering if anyone has ever thought of writing a story that parallels the Bible.

I can see why you asked this question, and what you'd like to
determine as a result of it. My advice is to take the issue into
the field of ancient history. Have you read this story?

Best wishes,

Pete Brown

squiz · 10-19-2007, 02:08 AM

I think Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon is a perfect example of this.

Many people seem to take it as the literal truth too!

Dean Anderson · 10-19-2007, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clouseau

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intelligenceresigned

I was just wondering if anyone has ever thought of writing a story that parallels the Bible. I have had this idea for quite some time now. It would be a great big unfalsifiable story about why the universe exists and why humans are here and how we are so special. The story would have to have historically accurate evidence in it. It could go through a similar format, copying each book of the bible. Many people would have to colaborate on the project though, because again the bible is written by many "authors". So I thought that this would be a good place to throw the idea out. Of course, the point of such a book would be to show how the bible can "appear" to be accurate, but it is in fact mythology. There could even be a side project for something like an apologists handbook for such a story.

Now, I have heard of stories that this actually has been done before (i.e. Scientology) but the big difference would be that everyone would know that this book was just fiction and it's purpose was solely to show how the bible really could be just fiction. Let me know if this idea is stupid, already been done, or if it actually might be worth trying.

To make this project authentic, you will need to liaise and agree a story with people up to 1000 years into the future.

Nah - for true authenticity, you should just let the people 1000 years from now come up with a new story only loosely related to yours, and creatively re-interpret most of what you wrote to make it fit their inferior "sequel", claiming that that was the story that you intended all along.

A bit like Highlander II reinterpreted Highlander and made retroactive claims that it was about aliens all along...

The New Testament is the "Highlander II" of religious texts...

Dreadnought · 10-19-2007, 02:43 AM

It's certainly an idea that sounds fun to play with and see where it might lead. Were you thinking of copying the lay out of the bible (as we have it now) with separate books and a history of a people?

I'm less enthusiastic about the basic reason that you give for making this book. As others have pointed out many see that it's mostly myth already and among those that don't I doubt many would be convinced by a very long "argument from analogy". In and of itself the idea is interesting though.

thegdin · 10-19-2007, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intelligenceresigned

Of course, the point of such a book would be to show how the bible can "appear" to be accurate, but it is in fact mythology.

i understand what your driving at but consider this... the bible doesnt appear to be accurate. at least not to anyone who is willing to actually look at it with reason and an average grasp on reality. in addition to this, it doesnt matter what logical reasoning or evidence you throw at a believer, they will still believe that this is the word of their "living god".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreadnought

It's certainly an idea that sounds fun to play with and see where it might lead.

im with you on this one. it might be an interesting exercise. for our amusement at least.

Clouseau · 10-19-2007, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Anderson

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clouseau

To make this project authentic, you will need to liaise and agree a story with people up to 1000 years into the future.

Quote:

Nah - for true authenticity, you should just let the people 1000 years from now come up with a new story only loosely related to yours

'Loosely' seems to me to be a word used in ignorance of detail.

-Jay- · 10-19-2007, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Anderson

The New Testament is the "Highlander II" of religious texts...

:rolling: :rolling: :rolling:

I'm saving that quote...

regards,

NinJay

Clouseau · 10-19-2007, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NinJay

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Anderson

The New Testament is the "Highlander II" of religious texts...

:rolling: :rolling: :rolling:

I'm saving that quote...

regards,

NinJay

Can you give a reason for anyone else to do so? That is why we're here, is it not?

-Jay- · 10-19-2007, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clouseau

Quote:

Originally Posted by NinJay

I'm saving that quote...

Can you give a reason for anyone else to do so? That is why we're here, is it not?

I'm not sure what you mean, Clouseau.

regards,

NinJay

fanucon · 10-19-2007, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intelligenceresigned

I was just wondering if anyone has ever thought of writing a story that parallels the Bible. I have had this idea for quite some time now. It would be a great big unfalsifiable story about why the universe exists and why humans are here and how we are so special. The story would have to have historically accurate evidence in it. It could go through a similar format, copying each book of the bible. Many people would have to colaborate on the project though, because again the bible is written by many "authors". So I thought that this would be a good place to throw the idea out. Of course, the point of such a book would be to show how the bible can "appear" to be accurate, but it is in fact mythology. There could even be a side project for something like an apologists handbook for such a story.

Now, I have heard of stories that this actually has been done before (i.e. Scientology) but the big difference would be that everyone would know that this book was just fiction and it's purpose was solely to show how the bible really could be just fiction. Let me know if this idea is stupid, already been done, or if it actually might be worth trying.

Poems of Sumerians or epic of gilgamesh even includes references to Noah

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10-19-2007, 02:08 AM	#12
squiz Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Munich Germany Posts: 434	I think Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon is a perfect example of this. Many people seem to take it as the literal truth too!

10-19-2007, 02:43 AM	#14
Dreadnought Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 268	It's certainly an idea that sounds fun to play with and see where it might lead. Were you thinking of copying the lay out of the bible (as we have it now) with separate books and a history of a people? I'm less enthusiastic about the basic reason that you give for making this book. As others have pointed out many see that it's mostly myth already and among those that don't I doubt many would be convinced by a very long "argument from analogy". In and of itself the idea is interesting though.

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